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FOOD IS MEDICINE OR IT IS POISON!

High quality nutrition is one of the most important strategies for winning the war for your healthy brain and body. Poor nutrition is self-sabotage! The Brain Warrior diet includes an abundance of illness-fighting nutrients from whole, living plant foods AND a portion of high-quality protein and healthy fat. Eat a diet that's 70% plant-based foods and 30% high quality protein. Keep your brain sharp. Ensure your muscles and organs function at peak performance.

As you get older, your body’s cells age too. Some of them become damaged and start releasing harmful chemicals like pro-inflammatory cytokines that speed the aging process and contribute to age-related diseases. They may even play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. These dysfunctional cells are known as senescent cells or “zombie…

Do you ever start a new project—whether it’s a big presentation at work, volunteer activities, or cleaning out the closets at home—and get so wrapped up in what you’re doing that you power through without taking a breather and without eating? You might think a “warrior” mentality means attacking your to-do list without coming…

It’s that time of year again. Every year, when the kids go back to school, I get a flood of requests for ideas for healthy school lunches and snacks. It’s no wonder. Good nutrition is critical for the development of your child’s brain and their ability to focus, learn, and perform in the classroom.…

A must watch for all Brain Warriors! If you follow Tana’s simple food principles you’ll decrease your inflammation, improve your mood and sharpen your memory. Learn how to eat in a way that protects from cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Find out how food can also reduce your pain. “Abundance … never deprivation.”…

I recently got a question from one of my Facebook followers that said: “Hi Tana, I’ve been suffering with extreme fatigue and achy joints for several years and have been living on caffeine and pain relievers to get through my days. After seeing half a dozen doctors, I finally got diagnosed with an autoimmune…

When it’s hot and muggy, I don’t always feel like cooking. I’m guessing you don’t either. When it’s just too hot to fire up the stove or oven, try a smoothie. Smoothies are a Brain Warrior’s “fast food.” They’re quick, easy, nourishing, and hydrating. Don’t forget, your brain is 80 percent water and proper…

Can supplements be taken together or do they need to be taken separately? Do supplements need to be taken with fat? Should stimulating or calming supplements be taken at certain times of the day? How long does it take to get the optimal benefit of taking supplements? What are the best supplements to help…

Attention vegan and vegetarian Warriors! I know many of you choose to eat a plant-based diet for better health. Filled with antioxidants, these nutrient-dense foods help you ward off disease, calm inflammation, and maintain a healthy weight. However, without careful attention and supplementation there are a few things missing. One of these nutrients is…

As Brain Warriors, we pride ourselves on reading nutrition labels and making smart choices when it comes to food shopping. But just how good are you at reading those labels? I hit the grocery store the other day and looked at the ingredients on some very popular food items—actually, more like anti-nutrition items! If…

Easter is right around the corner. As with most holidays, the advertisers have won the battle in shifting the focus away from what’s important. For many of us Easter is a religious and spiritual holiday of new life, a time of renewal. Even it if’s not a religious holiday for you, Easter likely holds some…

Eating disorders can be devastating for both the patient and their family. Learn from Dr Farrell, Addiction & Eating Disorder Therapist at Amen Clinics. What should you look for if you suspect someone has an eating disorder, and what can be done to help the healing process? For more information about adult eating disorder…

“I’m sensitive to SO many foods? What can I eat?” This is a refrain I commonly hear. As always, I want to answer this thoughtfully, so I have consulted with two of my favorite doctors: Dr. Mark Houston from the Hypertension Institute and a Professor at Vanderbilt University, and Dr. Mark Filidei, a functional medicine…

Are you suffering from allergies, brain fog, or neurological symptoms like pain? Could it be mold poisoning? Around 50% of buildings in the USA are water damaged and could have a mold problem. Stored food like coffee, wheat, corn and peanuts often has mold spores growing in it – but there is help! Identify…

Warriors always have a strategy. If you leave your health up to chance, especially during the holidays, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Here are six simple tips we use to keep our Brain Warriors on track during the holiday, which happens to be when people get the sickest and have the most reported number…

Warriors always have a strategy. If you leave your health to chance, especially during the holidays, you are setting yourself up to fail. Christmas is the most anticipated day of the year, but did you know that it is also the one day of the year that hospitals all over the country admit the most…

My family and I simply refuse to feel deprived because we make the choice to feel energetic instead of overweight and foggy during any holiday. We want our focus to be where it’s supposed to be: on gratitude and helping others during the holiday. We feel blessed and we want you to join us. You…

Whether you’re into dressing up like witches and goblins and going door-to-door asking for a treat, October 31st is around the corner. Halloween is widely celebrated in the U.S. In fact, Americans purchase over 600 million pounds of candy in anticipation of trick or treaters. This is a total of nearly $2billion! This is…

Every September, I’m bombarded with questions about healthy lunch ideas for kids. Let’s face it, the lunches provided by schools aren’t any better than most fast-food restaurants. Even calling them food is questionable. Then there are Lunchables – the Kraft created, pre-packed lunches that became all the rage in the 80’s and are still going…

We celebrate Independence Day to symbolize our freedom as Americans. With freedom comes responsibility. Today let’s remember the words of Abraham Lincoln – “The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people”. July 4th to most Americans means BBQs and parades, plenty of food and fireworks and relaxing with family and friends.…

It is estimated that the gastrointestinal tract is loaded with about 100 trillion microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, and others), about ten times the total number of cells in the human body. To be healthy, the relationship of good bugs to bad bugs needs to be positively skewed – around 85 percent good to 15 percent troublemakers.…

As a Brain Warrior we’re going to help fuel your body for success. The most effective warriors have used food as medicine for centuries. They ate for one reason- to win! You do this by paying attention to the quality of your calories and the messages those calories are sending to your body. Think about…

I thought I would use a real-life example of something that happened recently. As my client (let’s call her Sally) walked in, she started complaining. She said, “I’m frustrated. I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do. I’m eating perfectly, I’m exercising, and I’m still gaining weight.” Sally had lost almost 60 pounds and she gained…

So you’ve decided to go vegan, or maybe you’re still considering it, and you want to know if you can really be healthy and feel good without eating meat or other animal products. Truthfully, we have no interest in the food fight. The fact is there is research on both sides of that war.…

Easter is the welcoming of spring, the resurrection of Christ, and a great time to celebrate and share brunch with your family and friends. It is important to remember, warriors do NOT take holidays off. It is essential you have a food strategy when it comes to holiday celebrations. Easter comes sugar-filled goodies, chocolate bunnies, leading…

The proof is in! In a recent study, BMC Journal found that people who eat more plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits and lean proteins, including fish, have a lower incidence of depression. Those who consume more processed foods and sugar had a higher incidence of depression. This study shows that our brains respond to…

If your memory is worse than it was ten years ago, you should know that your risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s has risen. Did you know that food can play an important role in getting your memory back to where you want it to be? Here’s a mnemonic called “Bright Minds” for this reason. This…

The truth about sugar is finally being revealed. Refined sugar, organic or not, has no redeeming value for your health unless you’re suffering the effects of extreme low blood sugar. Sugar has always been the enemy. Unfortunately, contrary to what popular marketing would have you believe, artificial sweeteners are actually worse for your health, if…

It has been nearly two months since we rang in the New Year. How are you doing with your New Year resolution? When you make a resolution, you are resolving to yourself to do something. It’s a promise, a commitment. Yet, nearly half of the people who make NY resolutions give them up before the…

It’s never too young or too old to become a Brain Warrior and optimize your health. Your brain controls everything you do and everything you are. It produces your every thought, action, memory, feeling and experience of the world. You need your brain for everything from deciding which article to read to keeping your heart…

Looking at tens of thousands of brains over the years, we have noticed an interesting trend: as we age, our brains seem to be getting less and less active. Like many other aspects of the human body, our brain’s natural sharpness begins to deteriorate later in life. This degenerative trend can be the culprit behind…

It is no secret that the fat free craze is one of the worst things to happen to our society. Did you know the solid weight of your brain is 60 percent fat? You need the right fat to keep your brain and body healthy, and the right oils play a vital role in this. But figuring…

As Brain Warriors, it is absolutely essential that we take care of ourselves with rest and relaxation in addition to pushing ourselves to be better. And what better way to relax on a chilly winter day than a steaming bowl of soup? Soups are a favorite in the Amen household. Several scientific studies have shown…

2017 is just around the corner, which means so are resolutions for the new year. Weight loss is a perennially popular New Year’s Resolutions, along with “exercise more” and “spend less money.” The sad fact is that most people don’t stick to those resolutions for more than a month and by the end of January,…

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail, and the science proves it. People who plan ahead and visualize have far greater success than those who don’t. Olympic athletes do it, doctors do it, and even successful students do it. It’s especially true for people on health programs, yet most do not do it.…

With Thanksgiving rapidly approaching, I want to share my recipes for our traditional holiday meal. My family and I refuse to feel deprived because we make the choice to eat healthy and feel energetic instead of overweight and foggy during the holidays. We want our focus to be where it should be: on gratitude and…

One of the struggles of being a mom is making sure your kids eat right. We are what we eat, and food—especially brain food—is an important factor on what kind of a late-teen and adult they will be. I spend a lot of time every week answering questions from incredible women, and often they don’t…

Did you know the average person takes in 22 teaspoons of sugar daily—more than THREE times the amount suggested by the American Heart Association, which is already high! And although it has never been considered a health food, new evidence shows sugar can do even more damage than previously thought, setting you up for obesity,…

It is no secret that spices have amazing benefits for your brain and body. Ancient cultures around the world have cherished saffron for centuries and have cultivated it for a variety of reasons, including use as a culinary spice, digestive aid, and mood-boosting aphrodisiac. Derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, saffron is produced just…

Looking at tens of thousands of brains over the years, we have noticed an interesting trend: as we age, our brains seem to be getting less and less active. Like many other aspects of the human body, our brain’s natural sharpness begins to deteriorate later in life. This degenerative trend can be the culprit…

In the Art of War, Sun Tzu said, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting”. If you’ve ever fought anxiety, depression, ADD or other mental illnesses, you know it’s a war! But it’s one you can win- starting with food. Food is medicine, or it is poison. Food is not…

Why is it that when we get stressed we begin to crave exactly the opposite of what is good for us? For many of us that struggle with stress, as soon as we begin to feel those anxieties creeping up on us, we would do anything to alleviate it. However, when we are stressed…

If your gut isn’t healthy, you will not be healthy. The first rule in gut health is to take care of your “good” bacteria, or as my daughter Chloe likes to call them, the pets in her tummy. Taking care of your gut bugs requires proving them with a solid house and healthy food. When…

Sugar addiction isn’t just about willpower, it’s about hormones. It’s not you, it is what food is doing to you. Most of our patients are surprised to realize that it only takes about 3-7 days to end carb addictions if they follow our formula: Don’t skip breakfast, but don’t eat a carb heavy breakfast. Eat…

You spoke and we listened. The feedback from our last Brain Warrior’s Live Class, while positive, clearly stated that you would like more time having your questions answered. Below is a list of several of the most frequently asked questions and answers along with one of our favorite Amen household recipes. If you prefer watching…

Hopefully by now you’ve had a chance to clean out your pantry and fill your kitchen with super nutritious food. If not, what are you waiting for? Also, we hope you understand now why you need to end your abusive relationship with sugar and processed food that is beating you up on the inside. The…

If you’re following us on the Brain Warrior’s Way journey, you’ve already cleaned out your pantry and started purchasing the basics from the shopping list we sent you last week. If not, now is the time. As you begin throwing out the processed foods of old, you may feel like you’re ditching some of your…

Food fuels success or it drives failure. Once you commit to being a Brain Warrior you will begin feeling and looking dramatically better immediately. Your energy level, mood and focus will soar while your weight and your risk factors for a variety of diseases will begin a dramatic decline. However, this is not a two-week…

Let’s be honest, everyone wants to have a sharper focus, more energy, a smaller waist and an overall better brain. We want you to become a Brain Warrior! So, we are going to help you get your black belt in health. Everywhere you go someone is trying to poison you with highly processed and pesticide-sprayed…

If you were in a hurry and had to choose between your morning coffee and a healthy breakfast that will give you focus and energy for hours, which would you choose? What if I told you that you don’t have to? If you’ve been following The Omni Diet at all, you know how important it…

I live a busy lifestyle and I have no choice but to be productive with my time and energy. This means I have to be organized and diligent with the way I eat. Take an inside look at how I eat throughout the day. My routine is simple; I start my morning with 20 ounces…

Your brain is 80% water, so it’s really important to be well-hydrated every day. Unfortunately too many people don’t pay attention to how much water they drink—which is a big mistake. Being even a little dehydrated can have significant consequences on your strength and cognitive function. A study found that pilots who were dehydrated by…

There’s a reason chocolate has been an international symbol of love for generations… Chocolate contains Phenylethylamine or PEA. PEA is a psycho-active compound. It acts as a stimulant that makes you feel really good when you eat it. Additionally, chocolate increases serotonin in your brain, and serotonin is the “don’t worry, be happy” neurotransmitter. No…

It’s October and I’m seeing signs of little witches, spiders, ghosts and zombies roaming around, and it’s no wonder. Half of the kids are already well on their way to candy coma, while the other half are climbing the walls with sugar highs. Unfortunately, Halloween is an exciting month of parties and costumes is a…

What do the following slogans have in common (besides the fact that they are still stuck in your limbic brain decades after they were created)? “Things go better with Coke” “You deserve a break today” “I’d love to be an Oscar Meyer Weiner…” “They’re grrrrreat!” “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!” “Melts in your mouth,…

There is a biological reason that you may end up locked in a battle of the wills when you ask your child to eat green food! Have you noticed that your kids don’t hate all vegetables and general nutrition? Usually it’s the really green, bitter ones like spinach, kale, and sometimes broccoli (unless we camouflage…

I’m always reading research studies that focus on the food/mood connection. Think of the spice aisle at the grocery store as the natural pharmacy. A number of spices have brain-enhancing effects in addition to greatly enhancing the flavor in food. One of the healthy eating pillars I ascribe to is spicing up your food and…

A lot of parents ask me for help on how to get their kids to eat healthy. My answer? Get your kids involved in the meal preparation process. Have them help you create their healthy snacks and before you know it, they’ll be doing it on their own. The easiest place to start is…

Why? How much? Which ones?… are some of the frequently asked questions I get when it comes to kids and supplements. Summer can be a great opportunity to make healthy changes or refocus your families’ health routines. Or, better yet, if you don’t have a health routine, now is the time to start one. Typically,…

You looked in the fruit and vegetable aisle. You saw how fresh and green the broccoli looks, so you decided to take a couple of stalks, but not before doing a double take on the price. You sighed, put the broccoli back, and then headed on over to the “dead aisles”; the Alzheimer’s and high…

If you want to lose weight as easy as you lose your car keys and cell phone, this week’s video will be great for you. It’s not going to be about calories (what a welcome relief!) It’s not going to be about initially eating less food. It’s about eating RIGHT.

Did you know that most of your body may be 10-years old, if not less? It sure doesn’t feel like it, does it? But it’s true. Your entire body rebuilds itself every day with new cells—from the foods you eat.

This week’s video will open your eyes and drop your jaw. Many people think is healthy in their pantry, but it’s possible that over 50% of it isn’t. In fact, some of the foods are like a slow-acting poison.

Anxiety, depression, addiction, dehydration, and disrupted sleep are connected to caffeine intake.
Alcohol consumption is linked to breast cancer in women.
What else don’t you know about wine and coffee?

Many people eat more often when feeling they are lonely, depressed, frustrated, bored and mad than when they are truly hungry. Some people can go years without ever feeling hungry because they eat constantly. Food is their best friend. So, in this week’s video, I’m going to show you how you can dump that "friend,"…

"That white powder. It just makes me feel good. I can’t get it off my mind until I have my next fix—and then I keep coming back for more. The more I have it, the more I want it…" That statement could be coming from a cocaine addict or a sugar addict. Isn’t it strange…

"I feel gray, even on a sunny day." ’I feel like I am moving and thinking in slow motion." "I don’t feel hopeful or happy. “I can’t focus … I feel stupid." A show of hands—do any of those sound familiar? Or, I should say, feel familiar? It really is true: you are what you…

Bagels and cream cheese. Pasta with alfredo sauce. Bread and stew. For many people, the thought of cutting out bread, even whole wheat bread, from their diet is wholly unreasonable. But a growing number (a surprisingly large number) of people are doing the unthinkable: they are staying out of the bread aisle, saying "no thank…

Mark Twain has been quoted as saying, "The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not." Does that sound about right to you? Throw in bouts of hangry (hungry + angry), and that’s "dieting." Put your fork down, and…

Love, marriage, and a baby carriage. Ahhh, there’s nothing like it. For the baby’s brain development during pregnancy, some mothers will talk to their baby in a gentle and loving manner. Some mothers will place headphones on their belly while classical music is playing. Some mothers will practice Yoga to reduce stress and keep the…

Here’s a typically worded ad from a well-known brand name cooking oil: “Our organic canola oil is free of unhealthy cholesterol, preservatives and additives. It has less saturated fat and more vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids than any other brand. Our canola oil is the world’s healthiest food!” Sounds like a good cooking oil,…

In this week’s video blog, Kelly Patterson, a concerned mom asks: "What is your opinion on the relationship of gluten to conditions such as fibromyalgia, ADHD, and anxiety?" Without getting too scientific, gluten (a Latin word meaning "glue") is a protein that gives bread its airy and fluffy texture and dough its sticky texture. DID…

"How can I have a brain healthy breakfast, while keeping the ‘breakfast calories’ off?" has got to be one of the most asked questions. But it shouldn’t be anything complicated, really. Did you know that when Olympians plan what they eat in the morning, they rarely call it breakfast? They look at it as a…

Discover if your pantry is full of medicine or poison and get ready to make a new grocery list! Daniel and I will take you on an eye opening tour through an all American family pantry and teach you which foods help to heal and which ones will hurt you. If you eat the standard…

This is the time of year that gets many people in big trouble because of excessive fat and high blood sugar leading to elevated triglycerides; health destroyers. As we gather together to spend time with friends and family, we often socialize around plates of illness-promoting food. These foods are often high in calories, putting us…

Nagging and lecturing your man: 150 calories burned. Check. You also asked him to join www.myfitnesspal.com, and he just gave you that look. You asked him to try paleo. After looking it up in the dictionary, he grunted, scratched his belly and reached for the remote. An ancient Chinese proverb says, “A journey of a…

Recently my 82 year old "mother in love" (how cute is she?) was hospitalized for a nasty virus. Let’s just say that she had severe digestive issues. She quickly became dehydrated, malnourished and underweight. The hospital staff did a great job of making mom comfortable and getting the infection under control. However, we began to…

Many people, especially low-income earners, say they can’t afford to eat healthy. The problem is they are thinking of oranges, apples, squash, avocados…when they should be thinking of sweet potatoes, beans, quinoa, eggs, turkey, kale and fish. Did you know that the very same nutrients found in many of the higher-priced food can also be…

Fall is my favorite time of year with cooler weather, colorful leaves and cozy times at home spent watching movies with my family. But as October comes to a close, I’m preparing for the invasion of the “Zombie Makers” (aka advertisers), who created messaging designed to entice children to gorge on candy corn and chocolate…

Did you know that 75% cases of cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke events, are preventable? That is one of the many health nuggets you’ll learn in "The Whole Heart Solution: Halt Heart Disease Now with the Best Alternative and Traditional Medicine"; a book by my good friend, Dr. Joel Kahn. Our mission…

OK girlfriend, it’s time to dump the dairy. I know what you’re thinking… "What? But milk does a body good!". You have been told that if you have not "got milk" you are missing out on something. And you have seen a constellation of movie stars and celebrities smiling at you from beneath their milk…

Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. Chloe and I love this time of year because it begins to make us yearn for cold weather, sweaters, bowls of soup and steeped teas. This is the time of year to gather with family, celebrating warm odors pouring forth from the kitchen. Now that Chloe is older,…

You’ve probably noticed that some people eat frequently, yet avoid packing on pounds. Their secret lies in their snacking strategy! The word "snack" usually conjures up thoughts of junk foods such as candy, cookies, or chips. Forget that. Smart snacks play an important role in a healthy diet. They help keep your blood sugar stable,…

If you’re slim and fit, take pride in your appearance no matter what your age! If not, you can get there, and I’m going to tell you how. The Omni Diet eliminates the inflammation-producing foods that have been damaging your internal organs and widening your waistline. You can actually reduce internal inflammation and turn off…

Football season is upon us and you know what that means? Getting ready for your spouse to ignore you like him noticing those new earrings you bought. Besides that, this also signals the return of Monday Night Football (MNF). So you know while MNF is on, he will want some game-time munchies. But this doesn’t…

Saffron is a functional spice indispensable to many exotic dishes. It also has an illustrious history: in ancient Egypt Cleopatra is thought to have used saffron as an aromatic and seductive essence. Today, while saffron is prized for flavoring, we’ve learned that it has major medicinal powers. While traveling in Turkey, we just had to…

Have you been struggling with the issue of school lunches? There are options beyond peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! School lunch offerings have improved somewhat in recent years (more vegetables and fruits), but they still have a long way to go to meet the Brain Warrior’s Way standards. I make sure to always pack Chloe’s…

As you may know, our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the sun. If you’re very, very careful, you might be able to get most of your vitamin D via sun exposure, as long as you don’t overdo it, since too much sun can lead to skin cancer. Michael Holick, M.D.,…

Making savvy food choices, and being a warrior for your health, is foundational to living The Omni Lifestyle. Don’t let the container your food occupies sabotage your health! According to Prevention News, there are over 4,000 hazardous chemicals contaminating our food supply. The laundry list of dangerous and synthetic substances include bisphenol A (AKA BPA…

If you’re familiar with my book ”The Omni Diet”, (now available in paperback), you know I’m a huge fan of probiotics, supplements that give a boost to all the beneficial bacteria and other essential microorganisms dwelling in your digestive tract. (Don’t say ”ew” – our bodies harbor both good bugs and bad ones, and for…

Don’t you just love it when you learn that something delicious is actually good for you? Me, too! That’s why I’m passing on some great news about avocados. We’ve known for some time that these fruits (yes, fruits — avocados have seeds) seem to have nutritional super powers. Not only do they provide healthy, monounsaturated…

Being on the Omni Diet doesn’t mean you have to eat at home for the rest of your life (although I hope you’ll give fast food restaurants a permanent pass). But it does mean becoming more thoughtful about where you eat and what you order. The more comfortable you become with the diet, the easier…

Possibly not as safe as you think, according to researchers at the University of California, Davis who took a look at videos showing how lax many home cooks are about food safety basics. The worst offense? Not washing hands after handling raw chicken. People, that is not a healthy practice! The next big mistakes: washing…

For years nuts were totally out of bounds for anyone trying to lose weight because of the calories they contain, but times have changed. We now know that nuts are superfoods brimming with health benefits and that they’re really filling, too. The latest news has to do with what almonds offer us and comes from…

TANA'S NUTRITION BLOGS

As you get older, your body’s cells age too. Some of them become damaged and start releasing harmful chemicals like pro-inflammatory cytokines that speed the aging process and contribute to age-related diseases. They may even play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. These dysfunctional cells are known as senescent cells or “zombie…

Do you ever start a new project—whether it’s a big presentation at work, volunteer activities, or cleaning out the closets at home—and get so wrapped up in what you’re doing that you power through without taking a breather and without eating? You might think a “warrior” mentality means attacking your to-do list without coming…

It’s that time of year again. Every year, when the kids go back to school, I get a flood of requests for ideas for healthy school lunches and snacks. It’s no wonder. Good nutrition is critical for the development of your child’s brain and their ability to focus, learn, and perform in the classroom.…

A must watch for all Brain Warriors! If you follow Tana’s simple food principles you’ll decrease your inflammation, improve your mood and sharpen your memory. Learn how to eat in a way that protects from cancer, diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Find out how food can also reduce your pain. “Abundance … never deprivation.”…

I recently got a question from one of my Facebook followers that said: “Hi Tana, I’ve been suffering with extreme fatigue and achy joints for several years and have been living on caffeine and pain relievers to get through my days. After seeing half a dozen doctors, I finally got diagnosed with an autoimmune…